69 4x4 Steering Help Please

[eastcoastcivil]

I have a 69 4x4 and the steering wanders on the road. Wondering if the gear box needs an adjustment or replacement...or if it may be tie rods or something else.

Also, I looked for ball joints in a few catalogues and can't find any for a 69 4x4. (In case you haven't noticed... this is my first 4x4)

Any thoughts?

[OrrieG]

Get someone to help. Turn the wheel, if the steering box arm does not move the box needs adjusted. Undo the big nut, turn the internal screw headed stud until it tightens up then back it off a little. Retighten the big nut. If the arm turns with the wheel look at the joints in the rod connecting to the tierods. If they are tight move to the tie rod ends. Then move on to the spindles and axle assemblies. Did it come on all at once or overtime? Might be failure of one part or joint or incremental wear in all of them. Mine is a 74 axle, I assume the 69 is different with the closed ball type. One of the suspension gurus will jump in but biggest part is cleaning off the dirt, old grease and gunk to see what is loose.

[mud slut 350]

They all do that. this your first old chevy p/u? ive owned 5 myself and driven many more and every single one will wander. i think its cause theres no pan hard bar on the front ive thought about makin one for mine ive seen pics of a few and heard it helps.

[eastcoastcivil]

Its my first 4x4. I have a 67 SWB street and strip truck and the steering and handleing is really tight. I guess I will have to pull the 4x4 into the garage and start looking. Not sure if it just started or this happened over time because I just bought this truck.

[mud slut 350]

now ur sayin its tight? thought it was wondering which is normal but if its tight to turn lube up all your joints or replace them if neccessary

[eastcoastcivil]

No...The 69 4x4 is really slack.... the 67 street and strip is tight. (Tight meaning solid and not slack)

[vectorit]

Originally Posted by eastcoastcivil

No...The 69 4x4 is really slack.... the 67 street and strip is tight. (Tight meaning solid and not slack)

My 1970 K10 SWB doesn't wander, but it does feel "loose" to me. As compared to my manual steer geared K20 suburban.

I was thinking about taking it to a specialist, since the PO of the '70 put a new steering gear in it along with all new components.

Is yours a closed knuckle axle, or a newer open with disc brakes?

[mud slut 350]

not to sure what ya mean but its a 91 dana 60 kingpin and yes it does have disk brakes. mine does feel "loose" but its because when i turn the wheel even setting still the entire truck will move before the tires actually turn its because the springs sway a little bit like i was saying if i had a panhard bar would eliminat that sway of the frame above the axle. but everything is tight all is new (because of the crossover new draglink and box) but still has that "slop" like normal